Nobuyoshi Araki is arguably Japan's greatest living photographer, and certainly its most controversial. The more than 300 books he has published over the last four decades attest to his inexhaustible creative energy, while his work, which often challenges social taboos surrounding sex and death, has drawn critical attention both at home and abroad. This new abridged edition of Phaidon's highly acclaimed Self, Life, Death, includes the finest and most iconic images from throughout Araki's career, all presented in a beautiful, expanded format that allows the pictures room to breathe. This accessible and affordable format will bring a new audience of students and photography enthusiasts to the work of this influential photographer.

Akiko Miki is a curator at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris and contributor to art magazines including Bijutsu Techo, Studio Voice, Tema Celeste and Exit Express.Yoshiko Isshiki has been working with Araki for over 10 years and has been closely involved in all exhibitions of Araki's work in Europe.Tomoko Sato is a curator at the Mucha Foundation, Prague, having previously worked as a curator at the Barbican Art Gallery, London. She has organized a wide range of exhibitions and has edited and published a number of books and catalogues, including Japan and Britain: An Aesthetic Dialogue 1850-1930 (1991).